Rod clip stand

ABSTRACT

A rod clip stand is disclosed which is configured to releasably secure and retain a pair of rods in a perpendicular orientation. The rod clip stand has a cradle portion supporting a first rod and an arched portion supporting a second rod. The rod clip stand is particularly well suited for fabricating a rebar grid used to reinforce concrete flatwork.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/957,921, filed Jul. 15, 2013, and U.S. Provisional Application No.61/959,623, filed Aug. 29, 2013. The disclosures of these provisionalapplications are expressly incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a means for arrangingcylindrical elements in a grid or lattice configuration, and moreparticularly relates to a rod clip stand configured to releasably secureand retain a pair of rods in a perpendicular orientation, and optionallyto locate the rods a distance spaced from an adjacent support surface.The present invention is particularly well suited for fabricating arebar grid used to reinforce concrete flatwork.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In certain construction or fabrication applications, it is necessary toassemble a grid or lattice structure from a set of cylindrical elementon the job site. One such application is for concrete construction. Inparticular, reinforcement bar or rebar for short is used as a tensiondevice in reinforced concrete and reinforced masonry structures, tostrengthen and hold the concrete in compression. The surface of therebar may be patterned to form a better bond with the concrete. Inconcrete flatwork, the rebar is often assembled into grid generally thedimension of the area to be formed with concrete. It is important thatthe rebar grid be elevated from the existing surface. In addition, it isbeneficial to interconnect the individual rebar elements together sothat they remain in the desired location as concrete is poured over thegrid. Lastly, it is critical that the concrete be able to flow throughand around the rebar grid to ensure the absence of any air pockets,voids or other defects that could weaken the final concrete structure.

It is common for the concrete contractor to assemble this rebar grid onthe job site. To do so, the contractor must first join the rebarelements together at the nodes of the grid. In other words at the pointwhere two rebar elements intersect. This may be done by welding oralternately with some sort of fastening element such as wire, cable tiesor the like. Once assembled in a grid, the rebar must be supported in anelevated position, typically on stands placed in spaced relation beneaththe rebar elements. Alternately, the rebar may be supported in anelevated position first then wire tied, welded, etc. This process offabricating a rebar grid can be time consuming in that it involvesmultiple steps, and thus costly from a labor cost standpoint. Inaddition, this process of fabricating a rebar grid requires that thecontractor have an inventory of several parts, namely rebar, fastenersand stands, and thus costly from a material and storage cost standpoint.Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a simple, cost-effective meansfor fabricating a rebar grid with a minimum of components. In addition,it is desirable to provide a compact coupling element in the form of arod clip stand which functions to interconnect a pair of rebar elementand to elevate the rebar elements above the ground. Furthermore, otherdesirable features and characteristics of the present invention willbecome apparent from the subsequent detailed description of theinvention and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings and this background of the invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure provides a clipping system for connecting,elevating and protecting cylindrical elements. The clipping systemincludes a rod clip stand for assembling a pair of cylindrical elements.The rod clip stand includes a cradle portion having a first cradle witha first concave surface formed therein and a second cradle laterallyspaced from the first cradle with a second concave surface formedtherein. The cradle is configured to receive a first cylindrical elementsuch as a rebar element. The rod clip stand also includes an archedportion interconnecting the first and second cradles in a spacedrelationship. The arched portion has a third concaved surface formed ata crown of the arched portion and configured to receive a secondcylindrical element such as another rebar element. The third concavesurface is generally perpendicular to the first and second concavesurface such that the rebar elements are arranged in a generallyperpendicular manner. The clipping system may be used in variousapplications including but not limited to assembling and supportingrebar when fabricating concrete structures.

The present disclosure also provides an assembly forming a rebar gridwith a plurality of rebar elements connected with a rod clip stand atthe nodes of the grid. The rod clip stand includes a cradle portionhaving a first cradle with a first concaved surface formed therein and asecond cradle laterally spaced from the first cradle with a secondconcaved surface formed therein. A first rebar element is supported inthe first and second concave surfaces. An arched portion interconnectsthe first and second cradles in a spaced relationship. The archedportion has a third concaved surface formed at a crown of the archedportion. The third concave surface is generally perpendicular to thefirst and second concave surface axis and supports a second rebarelement. A leg extends from the cradle portion opposite the archedportion. The leg preferably includes a first leg extending from thefirst cradle and a second leg extending from the second cradle. The rodclip stand couples the first rebar element to the second rebar elementis generally perpendicular to on another.

The simple unitary design of the rod clip stand is lightweight andsignificantly reduces the amount of material compared to that used inconventional rebar support chairs. The rod clip stand can be a plasticmolded part arranged in chains of 16 units. These chains can be nestedand stacked such that over 7000 units fit into a standard 2 ft×2 ft×2 ftbox, thereby reducing storage volume and shipping cost. One or morechains can be carried on a belt so that a reinforcing ironworker or rodbuster can quickly and efficiently fabricate a lattice or grid structureusing these rod clip stands.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction withthe following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote likeelements, and:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rod clip stand in accordance with thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows the rod clip stand illustrated in FIG. 1 supporting tworods in a generally orthogonal orientation;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the rod clip stand shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevation of the rod clip stand shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a left side elevation of the rod clip stand, it beingunderstood that the right side elevation is a mirror image thereof;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the rod clip stand;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the rod clip stand;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view showing a lattice of rod elements with a rodclip stand at each intersection forming a node;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing 16 rod clip stands interconnectedto form a chain; and

FIG. 10 is a top plan view showing 14 chains of rod clip stands nestedtogether for packaging and shipping.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description of the invention is merely exemplaryin nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the applicationand uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to bebound by any theory presented in the preceding background of theinvention or the following detailed description of the invention.

With reference now FIGS. 1-7, a rod clip stand 10 is illustrated whichinterconnects and supports a pair of rod elements 12, 14 in a generallyorthogonal or perpendicular arrangement. As seen in FIG. 8, a pluralityof rod clip stands 10 can be used to assemble a lattice or grid of rodelements 12, 14. In this regard, a rod clip stand 10 couples the rodelements 12, 14 together at each node, or in other words at each pointwhere the rod elements 12, 14 intersect. The rod elements 12, 14 may bereinforcing bars or rebar used to support and strengthen concretestructures. The rod clip stand 10 may have utility in other applicationssuch as pipe, conduit, etc. for fabricating a lattice or grid structure.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-7, the rod clip stand 10 includes a cradleportion 16 having a first cradle 18 defined by a first concave surface18 s and second cradle 20 is laterally spaced from the first cradle 18.The second cradle 20 is defined by a second concave surface 20 s. Asbest seen in FIG. 2, the cradle portion 16 is configured to receive rodelement 12. The rod clips stand 10 also includes an arched portion 22interconnecting the first and second cradles 18, 20 in a spacedrelationship. The arched portion 22 includes a third concave surface 24s formed at a crown 24 of the arched portion 22. As best seen in FIG. 2,the arched portion 22 is configured to receive the rod element 14. Therod clips stand 10, and in particular the generally perpendicularorientation of the third concave surface 24 s with respect to the firstand second concave surface 18 s, 20 s, orients the rod elements 12, 14in a generally perpendicular manner. The centroid 26 of the firstconcave surface and the centroid 28 of the second concave surface lie ina common plane defined by the X-Z axes shown in FIGS. 3-5.

Rod clip stand 10 further includes leg portions 30, 32 extending fromthe first and second cradles 18, 20. A centerline of the leg portions30, 32 lie in a common plane with the centroid 26 of the first andsecond concave surface 18 s, 20 s and the centroid 28 of the thirdconcave surface 24 s as best seen in FIG. 5. Similarly, the centroid 28of the third concave surface bisects the distance between the first andsecond leg portions 30, 32 as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. In this way,any load on the rod elements 12, 14 is transferred through the rod clipsstand 10 in a balanced manner.

The spaced relationship of the first concave surface 18 s and secondconcave surface 20 s ensures that the rod clip stand 10 has at least twopoints of contact with rod element 12. As presently preferred, the thirdconcave surface 24 s is also configured to have at least two points ofcontact with rod element 14. Various structural features may be includedin the third concave surface 24 s to provide for at least two points ofcontact. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of protrusions 34(shown in broken lines) may be formed on and extend from the thirdconcave surface 24 s. A local feature such as protrusions 34 insuresthat the rod clip stand 10 contacts of the rod element 14 at more thanone point. For example, on rods that have ribs, such as rebar, theprotrusions may rest in between the ribs making a stable contact. Theprotrusions may also function as a spring or biasing element forgenerating a clamping force on the rod elements as further describedbelow. While the present disclosure describes and illustrates, theprotrusions as being formed on the third concaved surface 24 s, oneskilled in the art will appreciate that the protrusions may be form onthe first concaved surface and/or the second concaved surface inaddition to or in place of the protrusions on the third concavedsurface.

The dimensions of the rod clip stand 10 are configured to releasablysecure rod elements 12, 14 together. In this regard, the height h asshown in FIG. 5 is equal to or slightly less than the sum of thediameters of rod elements 12, 14 for providing interference fit into therod clip stand 10. As such, the rod clips stand 10, and moreparticularly the cradle portion 18 and the arch portion 20, generate aclamping force that acts to hold rod elements 12, 14 together. The rodclip stand 10 may further include a retaining element, which isconfigured to engage one or both rod elements 12, 14 and securely couplethe rod clip stand thereto. As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 5, the first andsecond cradles 18, 20 have a cam surface 36, 38 formed on an edgeleading to the first and second concave surfaces 18 s, 20 s that definea retaining element. During assembly, the rod clips stand 10 is rotatedclockwise (as seen in FIG. 5) so that rod element 12 engages the camsurfaces 36, 38 causing the rod clip stand to elastically deformed. Oncethe rod element 12 clears the cam surfaces 36, 38, the rod clip stand 10returns to its undeformed state and captures the rod element 12 withinthe cradle portion 16.

With reference now to FIGS. 9 and 10, the rod clip stand 10 may be aplastic part preferably fabricated using an injection molding process.The rod clip stand 10 is shown in the figured as a solid plastic part.One skilled in the art will readily recognize that the rod clip stand 10may be molded to have certain voids or pockets to reduce weight andmaterial necessary for its fabrication. In this regard, the rod clipstand 10 must have sufficient strength to support the rod elements 12,14 and any load imparted thereon. One skilled in the art will alsorecognize that a plurality of the rod clip stands 10 may be molded atthe same time and arranged in a chain 40 of rod clip stands 10 as shownin FIG. 9. Adjacent rod clip stands 10 in the chain 40 areinterconnected by sprues 42 as best seen in FIG. 10. With continuedreference to FIG. 10, individual chains 40 may be nested together toform a sheet 44 of rod clip stands 10. Multiple sheets 44 of rod clipstands 10 may be readily stacked together and packaged for storage andshipping.

The simple unitary design is lightweight, using about significantly lessmaterial of conventional rebar support chairs. While the number of rodclip stands 10 in a chain 40 may vary, it is presently preferred toinclude sixteen (16) individual rod clip stands 10 in a chain 40. Thesechains 40 can be nested into a sheet 44. Multiple sheets 44 may bestacked on top of one another to form a cube for compact storage andreduced shipping cost. For example, over 450 chains or more than 7200rod clip stands may be nested and stacked so as to fit into a standard 2ft×2 ft×2 ft box. One or more chains 40 can be carried on a belt so thata reinforcing ironworker or rod buster can quickly and efficientlyfabricate a lattice or grid structure using these rod clip stands.

In this configuration, the rod clip stand 10 can be used in a quick andefficient manner. For example, the reinforcing ironworker or rod bustermay secure one to several chains 40 of rod clip stands 10 to a belt orother garment. Once a rebar grid is laid out, the rod buster simplybreaks off a rod clip stand 10 and drops it down on top of rod element14 so that it sits in the third concaved surface 24 s of the archedportion 22. Next, rod element 12 is held up against rod element 14 andthe rod clip stand 10 is slid into engagement with rod element 12 androtated clockwise as shown in FIG. 5) so that it captures rod element 12in the first and second concaved surfaces 18 s, 20 s of the cradleportion 16 for securing rod elements 12, 14 together. So secured, therod elements 12, 14 can be positioned on leg potions 30, 32 in a spacedrelationship from a floor or other support surface.

While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in theforegoing detailed description of the invention, it should beappreciated that a vast number of variations exist. In addition, oneskilled in that art will appreciate that the shape and size of theembodiment may be varied to accommodate different types of rod elements.It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplaryembodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope,applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, theforegoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the artwith a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment ofthe invention, it being understood that various changes may be made inthe function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplaryembodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as setforth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

1. A rod clip stand for assembling a pair of cylindrical elementscomprising: a cradle portion having a first cradle with a first concavedsurface formed therein and a second cradle laterally spaced from thefirst cradle with a second concaved surface formed therein, wherein thecradle portion is configured to receive a first cylindrical element; andan arched portion interconnecting the first and second cradles in aspaced relationship, the arched portion having a third concaved surfaceformed at a crown of the arched portion and configured to receive asecond cylindrical element, wherein the third concave surface isgenerally perpendicular to the first and second concave surface.
 2. Therod clip stand of claim 1 wherein the centroids of the first, second andthird concave portions lie in a common plane.
 3. The rod clip standaccording to claim 1 further comprising a leg portion extending from atleast one of the arched portion and the cradle portion.
 4. The rod clipstand of claim 3 wherein the leg portion comprises a first leg extendingfrom the first cradle and a second leg extending from the second cradle.5. The rod clip stand of claim 3 wherein a centerline of the leg portionand the centroids of the first, second and third concave surfaces lie ina common plane.
 6. The rod clip stand according to claim 1 wherein thethird concave surface comprises at least two points of contactconfigured to engage the second cylindrical element.
 7. The rod clipstand of claim 6 wherein each of the at least two points of contactcomprises a protrusion extending from the third concave surface.
 8. Therod clip stand according to claim 1 further comprising a retainingelement formed on at least one of the first and second cradles oppositethe arched portion configured to capture the first cylindrical elementwithin the cradle portion.
 9. The rod clip stand according to claim 1wherein the first and second concave surfaces are spaced apart from thethird contact surface by a distance which is less than a sum of theheights of the first and second cylindrical elements to provide aninterference fit.
 10. A rebar assembly comprising: a rod clip standcomprising: a cradle portion having a first cradle with a first concavedsurface formed therein and a second cradle laterally spaced from thefirst cradle with a second concaved surface formed therein; an archedportion interconnecting the first and second cradles in a spacedrelationship, the arched portion having a third concaved surface formedat a crown of the arched portion, wherein the third concave surface isgenerally perpendicular to the first and second concave surface; and aleg portion extending from the cradle portion opposite the archedportion, the leg portion including a first leg extending from the firstcradle and a second leg extending from the second cradle; a first rebarelement received in the arched portion and supported by the thirdconcave surface; and a second rebar element received in the cradleportion and supported by the first and second concave surfaces such thatthe first rebar element is general perpendicular to the second rebarelement.
 11. The rebar assembly of claim 10 wherein a centerline of theleg portion and the centroids of the first, second and third concavesurfaces lie in a common plane.
 12. The rebar assembly according toclaim 10 wherein the third concave surface comprises at least two pointsof contact on the first rebar element.
 13. The rebar assembly accordingto claim 10 wherein each of the at least two points of contact comprisesa protrusion extending from the third concave surface.
 14. The rebarassembly according to claim 10 further comprising a retaining elementformed on at least one of the first and second cradles opposite thearched portion to capture the second rebar element within the cradleportion.
 15. The rebar assembly according to claim 10 wherein the firstand second concave surfaces are spaced apart from the third contactsurface by a distance, which is less than a sum of the heights of thefirst and second rebar elements to provide interference fit.
 16. A rebarassembly comprising: a plurality of rebar elements arranged in a gridand defining a node at each location where a pair of rebar elementsintersect; a plurality of rod clip stands including a rod clip standdisposed at each node and operable for coupling first and second rebarelements, each rod clip standing including: a cradle portion supportingthe first rebar element and having a first cradle with a first concavedsurface formed therein and a second cradle laterally spaced from thefirst cradle with a second concaved surface formed therein; an archedportion interconnecting the first and second cradles in a spacedrelationship, the arched portion having a third concaved surface formedat a crown of the arched portion, wherein the third concave surface isgenerally perpendicular to the first and second concave surface andsupports the second rebar element; and a leg portion extending from thecradle portion opposite the arched portion, the leg portion including afirst leg extending from the first cradle and a second leg extendingfrom the second cradle.
 17. The rebar assembly of claim 16 wherein acenterline of the leg portion and the centroids of the first, second andthird concave surfaces lie in a common plane.
 18. The rebar assemblyaccording to claim 16 wherein the third concave surface comprises atleast two points of contact on the first rebar element.
 19. The rebarassembly according to claim 16 further comprising a retaining elementformed on at least one of the first and second cradles opposite thearched portion to capture the second rebar element within the cradleportion.
 20. The rebar assembly according to claim 16 wherein the firstand second concave surfaces are spaced apart from the third contactsurface by a distance, which is less than a sum of the heights of thefirst, and second rebar elements to provide interference fit.